Grifols Pioneers High-Tech Analysis of Plasma Bank to Detect Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

Core Message - Grifols has received a $21 million grant from The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to identify plasma-based biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson's disease (PD) through the "Chronos-PD" initiative [1][11] - The initiative aims to revolutionize PD management by detecting the disease years before symptoms appear, enabling the development of new diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies [1][4][5] Grifols' Research and Capabilities - Grifols possesses one of the world's largest collections of biospecimens, with over 100 million plasma samples collected over nearly 15 years, representing thousands of disease states [3][5] - The company leverages its proprietary plasma repository, advanced technology platforms, and plasma proteomics expertise to drive innovative research [4][5] - Grifols' subsidiary Alkahest, specializing in AI and multiomics analysis, is leading the Chronos-PD program [12] Parkinson's Disease Context - PD affects nearly 1 million people in the US and over 6 million worldwide, with limited understanding of its drivers despite decades of research [10] - Current PD diagnosis relies on medical history, physical examination, and brain imaging, often detecting the disease too late to significantly slow or reverse its progression [2] Grifols' Broader Impact - Grifols is a global healthcare leader in plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine, operating in over 110 countries with more than 23,000 employees [14][16] - The company focuses on treating conditions across various therapeutic areas, including immunology, neurology, and infectious diseases, driven by patient needs and its growing knowledge of chronic and rare conditions [6][7] - Grifols continues to expand its network of donation centers, which is the world's largest with over 390 centers across multiple regions [15]